Matzevah

Matzevah or masseba (מַצֵּבָה maṣṣēḇā; "pillar") is a term used in the Hebrew Bible for a sacred pillar, a type of standing stone. The term has been adopted by archaeologists for Israelite contexts, seldom for related cultures, such as the Canaanite and the Nabataean ones. As a second derived meaning, it is also used for a headstone or tombstone marking a Jewish grave.



Etymology
The Hebrew word matzevah is derived from a root meaning 'to stand', which led to the meaning of 'pillar'.

The singular form can be found spelled as masseba, maseba, matzevah, matzeva or mazzevah, and the plural form as massebot, masseboth, masebot, matzevot or matzevoth. When used in a Yiddish-influenced context, it can take the form matzeivah.

Biblical narrative
Use of the exclusive word can be found in and.

In, Jacob says "and this stone, which I have set up for a matzevah, shall be God's house" and in Yahweh says to Jacob "I am the God of Bethel [lit. "House of God"] where you anointed a matzevah and made a vow to me...".

The matzevah could also serve as a secular memorial: "Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day." It could also stand as a symbolic witness: upon confronting Jacob in Gilead, Laban declared "This rock-pile is a witness, and this matzevah is a witness, that I will not pass this rock-pile, and you will not pass this rock-pile and this matzevah, for evil." 

Jewish tombstone
Based on Genesis 35:20, observant Jews traditionally erect a monument at the grave of a deceased person. It can be placed either over the grave, as a footstone, or as a headstone.

Three purposes can be distinguished. It may mark the gravesite for purity reasons, as priests (cohanim) are required to avoid defilement through contact with the dead, and a marker (any marker) helps them identify a grave. The name of the deceased written on a stone also allows friends and relatives to identify the grave. A respectable, but unostentatious monument appropriate to heirs' fortune is also a symbolic way to honour the deceased.